bec/riley
@rileyforsythe.bsky.social
WOTCHER. I am bec/riley, a voracious reader, persistent writer, and general loudmouth queer trade union member living in South London (they/she)
I also learned ‘raze’ from "World Leader Pretend!" And obsequious from They Might Be Giants (“Turn Around”).
Here's a question I've enjoyed asking on various social media platforms. What are vocabulary words you have learned from songs? For example, I learned the word "raze" from REM's World Leader Pretend.
December 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I also learned ‘raze’ from "World Leader Pretend!" And obsequious from They Might Be Giants (“Turn Around”).
Show me how your 2025 went
December 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Show me how your 2025 went
Reposted by bec/riley
If you want good art - excellent movies, compelling series, incredible novels, any kind of story at all - we need a model that pays writers and artists properly, not one that prioritises a privileged few while feeding shareholders by the billion and throwing scraps to everyone else.
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
If you want good art - excellent movies, compelling series, incredible novels, any kind of story at all - we need a model that pays writers and artists properly, not one that prioritises a privileged few while feeding shareholders by the billion and throwing scraps to everyone else.
Reposted by bec/riley
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
My spoiler-free thoughts on Plur1bus S01E07 is that I really love how *spacious* the show is generally, but this one in particular was freaking expansive!
December 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
My spoiler-free thoughts on Plur1bus S01E07 is that I really love how *spacious* the show is generally, but this one in particular was freaking expansive!
Nina and Simone watch Indy and Chewie play on the luxury version of their cat tree.
December 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Nina and Simone watch Indy and Chewie play on the luxury version of their cat tree.
Firey sunset today 🔥⛅
December 12, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Firey sunset today 🔥⛅
I really wish my brain would finally understand that perimenopause brain fog notwithstanding, I am unlikely to leave the house without my keys or phone, go all the way to the tube station, down the escalator & onto the train and realise I’m barefoot. So quit serving up that anxiety dream already.
December 10, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I really wish my brain would finally understand that perimenopause brain fog notwithstanding, I am unlikely to leave the house without my keys or phone, go all the way to the tube station, down the escalator & onto the train and realise I’m barefoot. So quit serving up that anxiety dream already.
So many, but of late, the entirety of The Sleeping Wound by Moniza Alvi, from “Europa”, a collection I return to constantly.
December 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
So many, but of late, the entirety of The Sleeping Wound by Moniza Alvi, from “Europa”, a collection I return to constantly.
Hi friends. City of Sanctuary are a fabulous organisation in need of funds to continue their work supporting organisations to create welcoming environments to those fleeing persecution and war.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Welcome and support for people seeking sanctuary – Big Give
We are building a more welcoming UK for people forced to flee their homes. Help us get there. We support …
donate.biggive.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Hi friends. City of Sanctuary are a fabulous organisation in need of funds to continue their work supporting organisations to create welcoming environments to those fleeing persecution and war.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Reposted by bec/riley
my LRB blog-post on the weird kingston mural: www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...
Mark Sinker | Glitchcore Bosch
Above Côte Brasserie in Kingston upon Thames, overlooking its Riverside Walk, there was for a week in mid-November a...
www.lrb.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
my LRB blog-post on the weird kingston mural: www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...
This was an excellent evening 👍
Come with us (Instant Classics Live) to the Roman amphitheatre in London and find out about life in London then (the slaves, the rich, the whistleblowers, the rebels) tinyurl.com/yc86565f
Life, Death and Gladiators in Roman London
Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 04/12/2025 · 1h 2m
tinyurl.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:12 AM
This was an excellent evening 👍
I ditched Spotify three months ago, so no Wrapped and my Apple Music year-end is understandably less educated about the year, but top artists seem accurate: The Mars Volta and Wet Leg (together at last!)
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I ditched Spotify three months ago, so no Wrapped and my Apple Music year-end is understandably less educated about the year, but top artists seem accurate: The Mars Volta and Wet Leg (together at last!)
November reading:
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
December 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
November reading:
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
Athena: the original manic pixie dream girlboss.
what is a god? On Instant Classics we have a go at trying to understand Athena, much more than a 'goddess of wisdom' podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Athena: Private Life of a Greek Goddess
Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 27/11/2025 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Athena: the original manic pixie dream girlboss.
You just died. The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
November 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
You just died. The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
Reposted by bec/riley
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
November 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
November 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
The good news is I found my pen (my pen!!!!) however I found it while looking for something else. Seriously, perimenopause brain fog: pistols at dawn.
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
I can’t believe they don’t have a gif of Bruce’s post-pen-theft meltdown. That’s probably more accurate.
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The good news is I found my pen (my pen!!!!) however I found it while looking for something else. Seriously, perimenopause brain fog: pistols at dawn.
Reposted by bec/riley
What ARE the haps?
November 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
What ARE the haps?
I saved this issue for a rainy day to read cover-to-cover and was not disappointed. I particularly loved Jill Hopper’s riposte to Samuel Pepys, and Anna Shelton’s dressing down of anatomical eponyms. But as ever, the whole issue is filled with brilliant poems, and thoughtful essays and reviews. <3
We're absolutely delighted to announce Magma 93 'Liberation' is now published and available to buy on our website.
Edited by Isabelle Baafi @timtimtmi.bsky.social & @sohinibasak.bsky.social
#liberation #magma93
Get your hands on a copy now!
magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
Edited by Isabelle Baafi @timtimtmi.bsky.social & @sohinibasak.bsky.social
#liberation #magma93
Get your hands on a copy now!
magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
November 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I saved this issue for a rainy day to read cover-to-cover and was not disappointed. I particularly loved Jill Hopper’s riposte to Samuel Pepys, and Anna Shelton’s dressing down of anatomical eponyms. But as ever, the whole issue is filled with brilliant poems, and thoughtful essays and reviews. <3
Has there ever been a Taskmaster series where it could be anyone’s game right up to the finale? I kind of want Sanjeev to casually stroll away the winner despite (lol actually because of) his insouciance and total lack of fucks when morally is should by rights be Ania.
November 13, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Has there ever been a Taskmaster series where it could be anyone’s game right up to the finale? I kind of want Sanjeev to casually stroll away the winner despite (lol actually because of) his insouciance and total lack of fucks when morally is should by rights be Ania.
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
I can’t believe they don’t have a gif of Bruce’s post-pen-theft meltdown. That’s probably more accurate.
November 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
This workshop sounds incredible.
Explore writing about our relationships with women with Jennifer Lee Tsai on 17 November, 5-7pm via Zoom. We will take inspiration from a range of poets including Isabelle Baafi, Katrina Naomi, Dzifa Benson, Degna Stone, and more! Visit the Salon to register. #amwriting
Mslexia Salon a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
Online events, writing surgeries and workshops for women writers. Join our vibrant online community.
mslexia.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This workshop sounds incredible.